Category Archives: Coffee Shops

Texas French Bread, located at 2900 Rio Grande, offers quality coffee, fresh-baked bread and pastries and a large lunch menu. Photo by Julie Bissinger

I finally found a great French bistro in Austin. Texas French Bread doesn’t really fit the mold of a coffee shop, but that doesn’t stop the bakery from serving up a great cup of Joe.

Located at 2900 Rio Grande, just outside the West Campus neighborhood, Texas French Bread is a convenient lunch alternative for University of Texas students. Texas French Bread caters to a mixed crowd, including twenty-somethings, families with young children and older generations. The country decor and open space make the bistro a more sophisticated lunch option. Continue reading →

Everyone has their own favorite coffee lounges, and I’m no different. In choosing which shops to review for this blog, it’s been tempting to go to my regular spots, and I’ve hit up most of them since the blog’s inception. But my trips to unfamiliar coffee houses have been more rewarding because some have turned out to be real gems that I’m excited to revisit. Here are my top three newly discovered coffee shops, and tips on when to visit them and when it might be better to stick with your own regular spot.

The eclectic and comfortable environment at Bennu Coffee on East MLK offers a creative drink menu in an ideal study spot. Photo by Lara Berendt.

1. Bennu CoffeeWhy: It’s cozy, the music is always awesome, the baristas are charming, and they have three different varieties of vegetarian breakfast tacos from Torchy’s.When to go: If you want to get work done. There are more power outlets for your laptop in this place than there are hipsters—and there are plenty of hipsters.When to skip it: If you want a really superb espresso drink. I love you Bennu, but you gotta step it up in this area. Continue reading →

Lola Savannah is a neighborhood favorite for West Lake residents. Photo by Lara Berendt.

For full disclosure, I must preface this post with the admission that my husband is managing partner at Lola Savannah Coffee Lounge in West Lake Hills. He’s also the reason I’ve become somewhat picky about espresso quality, and I’m not just plugging his business when I say, Lola serves some of the absolute best espresso drinks in the greater-Austin area. Continue reading →

Flipnotics is built on a steep hill in the heart of South Austin. Photo by Julie Bissinger

During my quest to find coffee shops around Austin, I came across Flipnotics on a Google search. The website is space-alien themed, so I figured this coffee shop must be a cool place to hang out or to catch up on work. I could not have been more correct.

Flipnotics, located at 1601 Barton Springs Rd., lives up to its eccentric qualities displayed on its website. The coffee shop is perched up on a steep hill and is surrounded by trees. The large outdoor seating deck features odd decorations like an old television set converted into a fish tank. Flipnotics also holds live music concerts on its patio throughout the week. Continue reading →

Jeanie's Java leases space from the Great Outdoors Nursery on South Congress. Photo by Julie Bissinger

Jeanie’s Java truly is another of Austin’s hidden gems. I had no idea the coffee shop existed until I stumbled upon on it while visiting the Great Outdoors Nursery with my roommate. Jeanie’s Java blends in with the nursery’s trees and plants, so it took me a minute to realize the building was a coffeehouse.

Jeanie’s Java takes advantage of its location, though. The coffee shop, located at 2730 S. Congress Ave., leases its space from the nursery and is a separate business. The outdoor patio overlooks the nursery’s gardens, allowing patrons to view flowers, plants, trees and yard decorations. The air also feels cleaner due to all of the vegetation. Continue reading →

This family-owned business sells an extensive selection of quality teas and teaware. Photo by Lara Berendt.

While obviously not a coffee house, the Tea Embassy is one of my favorite caffeine suppliers in Austin. Whether you’re a tea novice or a tea connoisseur, this shop undoubtedly has something that will delight you. Continue reading →

I tried something new this week and shot video while at Anderson Coffee Roasters on Kerbey Lane. Serving coffee at only a dollar and nearly all their freshly roasted coffee beans at under $10, this place offers something that new and old coffee drinkers can appreciate.